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EC notice to Paswan for violating model code

     New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday issued notice to Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan for allegedly using religion in his agenda for the ongoing Assembly elections in the state which accounts to violating the Model Code of Conduct. The EC in its notice has directed Paswan to respond to it by October 24. The notice was served following complaints that he was appealing people to support LJP by promising to appoint a Muslim leader as the state Chief Minister, EC sources said. The complaints were lodged to the EC by former Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Prakash Singh and one Gaurav Kathuria, they added. Singh in his complain alleged that besides violating the model code of conduct, Paswans promise was also a violation of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and the Representation of Peoples Act for arising electorates "communal feelings". Kathuria, who had also complained that the LJP leader was using communal feelings for political gains during the elections, was directed by the Supreme Court to approach the EC on the issue, when he filed a PIL in the apex court.